Process and apparatus for interacting fluids



Aug. 22, 1939. I E AR ETAAL 2,170,496

PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR INTERACTING FLUIDS Filed April 14. 1936 s Sheets-Sheet 2 QZW; 8. .51

9 v 9 I #125; I

. I 146 I 142 f 132 I I C. 12! ;2a 12" I :12? I 60 I 35 v Q A 29 IN VEN TORS Earle 14 Gard Blair G. Aldrz'dg BY A TTORNEY.

Aug. 22, 1939.

PROCESS E. w. GARD ET AL 2,170,496

AND APPARATUS FOR INTERACTING FLUIDS Filed April 14, 1936 s Sheets-Sheet '3 INVENTORS Earle WrC-iaqd Blair G.Aldrldge ATTORNEY.

Patented Au 22, 1939 UNITED STATE PROCESS AND 5 PATENT OFFICE APPARATUS FOR INTERACT- lNG FLUIDS Earle W. Gard, Palos Verdes Estates, and Blair G, Aldridge, Los Angeles, Calif., assignors to Union Oil Company of California, Los Angeles, Call!" a corporation of California Application April 14, 1936, Serial No. 74,264

'15 Claims.

- oxidized asphalt thus produced may be controlled to a limited degree. However, in order to obtain asphalts of high melting point and having a high ductility and a desired penetration, it is necessary to produce an intimate mixture of the oil to be oxidized and the oxygen-containing gas, such as air or steam, so that all parts of the oil are uniformly exposed to the action of the gas. Such intimate contact of the gas with the oil to be oxidized is also essential because it permits ef flcient use of the oxygen content of the gas, and because such intimate contact permits the oxidation of the more refractory components of the oil. The oxidation reaction being exothermic in nature, an increase in temperature occurs during the reaction. It has, therefore, been found that provisions should be made to control the temperature to prevent over-oxidation, such control being in the nature of heat-abstracting means.

The above-mentioned heat-abstracting means are necessary since the effect of oxidation is to actually heat the oil. This increase in temperature occurs even when the air is injected in a cold or unheated state, for in the majority of cases the heat of oiddation of oil more than ofl'sets .the cooling eiiect of the injected cold air.

In an attempt to obtain the desired controlled recycling of the oil from temperature is controlled), gradually and uniformly oxidizes the oil until the desired degree of oxidation has been obtained.

We have previously described and patented processes for oil oxidation, and particularly for the production of oxidized asphalts, in which the .intimacy and duration of the contact of the asphaltic oil and oxygen have been controlled, and in which the temperature of the reacting mixture may also be regulated. These patents are Patent No. 1,953,345, No. 1,953,346, and No. 1,999,018.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a structure and a process which will be improvements on the processes and apparatuses of the above patents, as well as on all other processes of oxidation, reduction or chemical or physical interaction of oil, whether petroleum, animal or vegetable, or of other organic liquids in which an intimacy of mixture of the liquid and reacting as is desired.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved structure adapted to withdraw continuously a measured quantity of oil or other liquid from a bulk supply, such as a still, to admit continuously into the withdrawn oil a measured stream of air or other gas, to agitate said mixture to obtain a thorough and intimate contact of the particles of said liquid and gas, and to return or discharge said mixture back into the still wherein the separation of the gas from the liquid,

place.

the use of jet mixers usually necessitates a conthe still, through the ,mixer, and back intogthe still (wherein the oil as for example the partiallyoxidized 011, takes siderable expenditure of energy. The velocities required for a proper comingling of the two fluids are such that the mixture still contains a con oxidation, it has been previously proposed: to

maintain the oil to be oxidized in a heated still optionally provided with agitators; to maintainan atmosphere of air, steam, or other oxygencontaining gas, in said still above the oil therein; to control the temperature of the 011 being oxidized as by means of cooling coils disposed within said oil; and to withdraw continuously a portion of said oil to be oxidized, commingle it with-air and return the thus obtained mixture back into the mass of oil being oxidized. Such a procedure brings the oil in intimate contact with the air, this step being followed by the return of the mix-' ture into the 011 mass wherein the air. is separated from the oil. The repeated and continuous the air and oil may be regulated at will. A further object is to provide a structure whereby the various parts may be readily assembled, disassociated and interchanged.

The above and other objects may be attained by a structure comprising a housing provided with oil and gas inlets, means in said housing adapted to suck a stream of oil continuously into said housing and to intimately commingle said oil with adjustable whereby a control of the degree of mixing may be obtained.

The invention still further includes a structure wherein means are provided whereby the velocity of the oil-air mixture may be recovered in the form of energy substantially prior to the passage of said mixture out of the structure through the discharge means, the thus recovered energy being employed to aid the actuation of the oil-introducing and mixing means.

The invention still further resides in the above-. described type of structure wherein the oil and gas commingling means comprise mixers adapted to convey to said oil and gas a centrifugal force thereby causing said oil and gas to be thoroughly and intimately commingled.

The invention may further be stated to reside in an oil and gas pumping and agitating structure comprising a housing, means in said housing for the introduction of a stream of oil thereinto, means within said housing adapted to continuously move the thus introduced oil at substantially a uniform rate through said housing, means adapted to introduce an oxygen-containing gas into the moving stream of oil, pumping and agitating means adapted to further move said 011 and gas mixture and to produce a thorough and intimate commingling thereof, and means for the discharge of the thus obtained mixture from said housing. The invention still further includes a structure of the type described hereinabove wherein the two pumping means are designed so that'the gas may be introduced into the structure at a pressure independent of the pressure of the oil. Thus, the gas may be introduced at 'a reduced and even sub-atmospheric pressure even though the oil is maintained at a superatmospheric pressure. v

Additional objects will appear from a description of the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a vertical sectional view partly in elevation of an embodiment of a circulating pump and agitator structure built and assembled according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a section taken along line 2--2 of- Figure 1;

Figure 3is a section taken along line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a section taken along line IA of Figure-1;

Figure 5 is a ure 1;

Figure 6 is a diagrammatic sectional view on a reduced scale of a still or container for oil oxidation, said still being provided with a horizontally disposed multi-stage pump and agitating structure;

Figure 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of a section. taken along 5-5 of Figmodified agitator adapted to be employed in connection with the structure constituting the subject-matter of the present invention;

Figure. 8 illustrates a vertical sectional view also partly in elevation of a further modified embodiment of a structure according to this invention;

Figures 9-12 are sections along lines 9-4, ||l|0, and |2-|2, respectively of Figure V Figure 13 is a diagrammatic view, partly in elevation and partly in longitudinal section,

through a still equipped with a vertically disposedv pumping and agitating structure; and

Figure 14 is a section along line |4l4 of Figure 13.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to Figure 1 and the sections shown in Figures 2-5 inclusive, the circulating pump and agitator assembly is enclosed in a housing gen erally indicated by the numeral 28 consisting of a. plurality of sections 2| to 25 inclusive bolted to each other or otherwise united. These sections are generally annular in shape but have various constrictions described in greater detail hereinbelow. A shaft 28 extends vertically through 'the diametric center of housing 2|). The lower municate the interior of section 2| with the outside. Substantially within casting 34 and in the lower portion of section 2|, shaft 28 is provided with a pumping device 31. As shown in Figures 1 and 5, said pumping device may be the impeller type consisting of a plurality of blades 38 at-.

tached by their inner edges to an upwardly flared annular arcuate wall 38. This wall, in turn, is carried by a hub 48 splined to shaft 28 and locked thereon by means of a key 4|. Such connection permits the moving of the device 31 longitudinally along shaft 28 but prevents any relative rotation of the pumping device with respect to the shaft. The outer edges of blades 38 carry a ring 42 which is annular in shape and adapted to freely move longitudinally within casting 34. The purpose of this movement will be described hereinbelow.

Above pumping device 31 section 2| is provided with an openingand upwardlyextending nozzle 43 adapted to be used for the injection and/or introduction of air or similar oxygen-containing gas. Above said gas entrance shaft 28 is equipped with a plurality of bailles or mixers l5 and 48 in the form of inverted plumb bobs. As in the case of impeller pump 31 these mixers l6 and 46 are provided with slot and key connections 41 and 48 respectively to permit relative longitudinal motion but to prevent any relative rotational movement of the mixers with respect to shaft 2 8.

Housing 20 is constructed so that constrictions municate the interior of housing 28 with the exterior thereof. The upper end of shaft 3I may be provided with adjusting means .51 adapted to raise and/or lower shaft 3| and therefore shaft 28 at will, thus providing means for controlling m the annular space between constrictions 58 and mixers -45 and 45. The above described construction of the lower outer portion of frame 40 and of casting 34 is to permit said vertical movement of shaft 28 and of the pumping and mixus ing devices carried thereby without causing the removal of pumping element 31 out of its supporting means.

-. as shown in Figure 1 the pumping, circulating and agitating structure described hereinabove I) is disposed within a still 34 so that motor 32- and'packing gland 38 protrude out from said still,

the' lower end of thestructure being supportedsubetantially at the lower end of said still by SI. This support is for the purpose of ,mean i5 preventing the swinging of the structure.

I Operation, shaft 28 is rotated by motor 32 in the direction shown. by the arrow in Figure 1. The pumping device or impeller 31 actuated by the," rotation of shaft 20 causes the oil enterin M through openings 35 to be delivered at a fairly rate into section 2I and to be moved upwardly in the housing 28." Simultaneously, air or aslmilar oxygen-containing gas is introduced into the upper portion of section 2I through the pipe connected to nozzle 43. As shownin Figure 1 section 2I'has a gradually decreasing cross- ,sectional area from the lower portion of said sectlontowards its upper end. This creates a Venturi eilfect, thereby permitting the introduction 40 of the oxygen-containing gas through nozzle 43 at a.s ubstantially lower pressure.

The oil-air mixture then passes through section 22 and through the annular space 58 formed by the inner walls of housing 28 and mixer 45.

5 The rotation of said mixer 45 and the passage of the mixture through the restricted annular open-- ing produces a very intimate commingling of the oil and air. The degree of agitation and/or comrningling may be varied by raising or lowering o mixer 45 by means of the adjusting means 51 at the upper end of shaft 3| connected to shaft 28. The thus commingled oil-air mixture then passes through a similarrestricted annular mixing zone between mixer 45 and the inner wall of v 55 housing 28. After being thus again thoroughly commingled, the mixture passes upwardly through section wherein it comes in contact with the blades of Pelton wheel 53. The velocity of the upwardly moving oil-air mixture is thus .00 transformed into energy for the rotation of shaft 28; naturally decreases the over-all horsevgerrequired to circulate the liquid and gas the above described structure. After through said Peltonwheel the oil-air rises into section 25 from which it overthrough openings or slots 55 into the still from which the 'oil was originally withdrawn thrhugh openings 35..

' The Venturi-shaped construction of section 2| causes the oil forced upwardly by pump 31 to be thi'awm in section across the path of the inair' introduced through nozzle -43. This aids irrthe. intimate comm-lngling of the two substances. Similarly, the-constriction in the upper portion of section 23 forces the oil-air mixture against the lower face of plumb-bob mixer 45. The eddy currents thus created further intermingle the particles of oil and air. The arcuate shape of the lower face of the plumb-bob type mixers 45, 46 causes the liquid-gas mixture to flow smoothly towards and through the controllable annular orifices 50 betweensaid mixers and the inner walls of the housing. This obviously reduces friction losses.

The mixer shown in Figure 7 may be SUbStiu tuted for either or both mixers 45 and 45. In this modification, shaft 28 is equipped with a con-- ical device 62 provided with slotted openings 53. The conical device 52 is attached rigidly to shaft 28, but may be moved at will longitudinally along said shaft due to the slot and key arrangement 64. Inoperation, the rotation of shaft 28 and of the slotted conical device 62 causes a thoroughcommingling of the upwardly moving oil-air mixture.- By lowering or raising the conical device 82 (with respect to the constriction 58) it is possible to cause any desired portion of the upwardly moving mixture to pass through the slots 53, the balance being by-passed through the annular space or constriction. Obviously, the passage of the oil through the slots 53 causes a thorough mixing, which is augmented by the centrifugal force conveyed to the oil-air mixture by the rotation of device 62.

The structure shown in Figure 8 is a modified embodiment of the present invention. In this case housing I20 essentially consists of sections I2I, I22, I23, I24 and I25 corresponding to sec-' tions 2 I-25 of Figure 1. Similarly to the structure disclosed inconnection with Figure 1, housing I20 is provided with a shaft 28 extending through the longitudinal center of said housing,

this shaft passing out of housing I28 through packing 38. This 'end of shaft 28 is then connected with shaft 3| of the rotor portion of the actuating motor 32. The lower end of shaft 28 is likewise supported in a bearing 28 rigidly attached to the lower end of section I2I. As in the previously described structure the lower end of section I2I is provided with a casting I34 carrying the above mentioned bearing 29 and 'being provided with a plurality of openings adapted to communicate the interior of section I2I with the outside. Substantially immediately above bearing 29, shaft 28 is provided with a pumping device I21 consisting of anordinary screw impeller attached to shaft 28 by means of a slot and key connection I28. This connection I28- -ually reduced cross sectional area from its lower end substantially to the pointof entrance of air to nozzle I43, 'the cross sectional area therefrom gradually increasing towards the upper end of said section I22. The first portion of section I22 is indicated by numeral I3I while thesecond por-.-

tion carries the numeral I32. The slightly enlarged space between said portions is indicated by numeral I33 and is used for the commingiing of the upwardly moving oil and the air introduced through pipe I43.

Substantially in the lower portions of sections m and m, shaft 28'is'providecl with pumping devices I31, which as shown in Figures 8 and 10,

' may be of the impeller type. These comprise blades I38 attached by their inner edges to upwardly flared annular arcuate walls I39 which in turn are carried by hubs I40 splined to shaft 28 and locked .thereon by means of keys I4I. When key I is removed, the spline connection permits longitudinal movement of the pumps along shaft 28 but prevents any relative rotation of the pumping devices with respect to the shaft. The outer edges of blades I38 carry a ring I42 which may serve as a bearing, guiding and/or sealing element; Blades I38 of the impeller pumps I31 may be either of the solid type shown in connection with the device in section I23, or may be slotted as shown by numeral I44.

As shown in Figure 8, the shells comprising sections I23 and I24 have internal diameters smaller at the ends of said sections as compared These conical elements are spaced from theinner walls of sections I23 and I24 to provide an annular fluid passage I41. The conical elements I46 may each have a central hub I48 having working clearance about shaft 28, the cones having radially extending webs or fingers I49 secured to the outer surfaces of said cones and to the inner walls of shells I23 and I26 respectively. Such an arrangement retains the cones in nonrotating position and at the same time directs the fluid stream upwardly to the intake of the section next above.

The upper end of section I24 opens into section I25 which is similar'to section 25 of Figure 1. The annular wall .of said section I25 is provided with a plurality of slots or openings I 55 adapted to communicate the interior of housing I20 with the exterior thereof. As in the case of the structure described in connection with Figure 1, the'structure shown in Figure 8 and described hereinabove is disposed within a still 60 so that the motor 32 and packing gland 30 protrude therefrom. The lower end of the structure is supported substantially at the lower end of the still by means 6| adapted to prevent swinging of the structure.

The pumping devices I31 are designed so that, with a given rate of rotation of shaft 28, their pumping capacity is greater thanthat of the screw impeller pump I21 located at the lower end of shaft 28. The purpose of such design will be apparent from the following description of. the operations of the structure.

In operation of the structure shown in Figure 8, shaft 28 is rotated at a given rate of speed and in the direction shown by the arrow, by

means of motor 32. This causes the screw im-,

.peller pump I21, to draw the oil through openings 35 and to convey it at a uniform and .predetermined rate intosection I2I from where it and into portion I32 of section I22. The simultaneous actuation of the impeller I31 causes the oil thus delivered into section I22 to be raised by means of blades I38 into the annular spaces I41 between the inner walls of shell I23 and the above described frusto-conical element I46. Due to the Venturi shape of section I22 and because of the fact that impeller pump I31 is designed for a greater pumping capacity as compared to thescrew impeller I21, a reduced oreven subatmospheric pressure is created at -the throat of the venturi, i. e. inportion I33 of section I22. This permits the introduction of air through I43 at a pressure substantially below that maintainedin still 60, or at least, at a pressure below that necessary to overcome the head of oil in the pump and agitator structure I20.

The oil passing upwardly through section I22 and the air introduced through I43 are first commingled during I their upward passage through said section. The centrifugal effect of impeller I31 causes a further commingling of the two fluids, the mixture being thrown out against the inner walls of shell I23 by the convolute blades I38. The mixture then rises through passage I41 and is again thoroughly mixed during its passage through the impeller pumping de- Vice I31 rotated in section I24. As shown in Figure 8, this pumping device isprovided with slots I44 which further aid the thorough commingling of the two substances. After passage through said section I24 the oil-air mixtureis then raised into section I25 from which it overfiows through slots or openings I55 back into the oil in still 60.

It is quite obvious that the structures disclosed in Figures 1 and 8 may be variously modified without departing from the scope of the present invention. Thus, it is possible to eliminate, in Figure 1, one of the plumb-bob type mixers 45, 46. Also, in Figure 8, I may eliminate either of the pumping elements I31. In the alternative, I may substitute a mixer 45 for one of the pumping. elements I31, or employ such mixer 45 in combination with the structure shown in Figure 8. In such a case, the mixer 45 may be placed either between the two pumping elements I31, or above or below them. It is also obvious thata mixer ofthe type shown in Figure '7 may be used in place of or in conjunction I with the mixers and/or pumping elements disclosed hereinabove and shown in Figures 1 and 8.

A'further. modification is disclosed diagrammatically inFigure 6. In this case the housing I60 of the pumping and agitating structure is disposed horizontally in the still 60. At one end, said housing is provided with an oil inlet opening I6I. Shaft I62, extending longitudinally through housing I60, is supported at one of its ends by means of a bearing I63, the other end passing out through the housing, and through the wall of still 60, and being connected to the rotor of a motor I64. Air is introduced into the housing I60 through a pipe I65. Instead of having only one air inlet, the structure is provided with a plurality of such air inlets I66 extending from pipe I 65 and opening at spaced intervals into housing I60. Shaft I62 is provided with a plurality of pumping elements I61 and with a plurality of mixers I68. Substantially at the end opposite to oil inlet I6I, housing I60 is provided' with a discharge opening I69 adapted to return the oil-air mixture back into still 60. The operation of the structure is substantially similar to that described hereinabove in connecnection with the structure shown in Figure 1 the only difference residing in that the oil is moved in a substantially horizontal path, and in that air is introduced at a plurality of points and is repeatedly and thoroughly commingled with the oil being treated.

Figures 13 and 14 disclose an embodiment in which a pump and agitating structure "of the type shown in Figure 1 or 8 is employed in a still for oxidizing 'asphaltic oil. In these figures a still I80, provided with the usual manholes I8I I I90 in such a manner that the actuating motor I92 is located outside of said still. The housing I99 of the structure extends downwardly through the upper wall of still I80, and is provided in its upper portion with openings I94 similar to openings 66 of Figure l. Oxidizing gas, air or steam is introduced into the structure through a pipe I96, while the oil to be agitated enters through the openings I9'I in the lower end of housing I92. Said lower end of housing I93 passes through a baffle I98 extending horizontally across the lower portion of the still and substantially, but not quite, the length thereof, thus producing a separated space I99 closed at one end by a baflle '200, the other end 20I being open and communicating with the rest of the interior of still I60. Still I90'is also provided with heating or cooling coils 202 adapted to control the temperature of the oil being oxidized.

In operation, the oil to be oxidized, and maintained at a proper temperature by means of the coil 202 and of the furnace I84 is drawn into the pumping and agitating structure through openings I91 at the lower end of housing I99 by means of a pump located therein and actuated by motor I92. Air or a similar oxygen-containing gas is introduced at a predetermined rate through pipe I 96. .The two fluids, thoroughly agitated and commingled as described hereinabove, are then returned to still I90 through openings I94. The vapors and spent gases are discharged through line I90. The provision of bailiing means I99 and 200 prevents the oil from entering the pumping and agitating structure except byflrst passing through space I 99 separated from the rest of the still by said bafliing means. It is thus obvious that a current is cre ated in the still, the oil to be oxidized being forced across the whole length of the still prior to the time when said oil enters through 20I into the space I 99 and then through openings I91 into the pumping and agitating structure. The provision of such bailling means (as well as of the current produced thereby) aids in a thorough separation of the gas or air from the mixture thereof with the oil coming through openings I94. The provision of these means also aids in a thorough commingling of the oil being oxidized, thus permitting a uniform oxidation of all of the oil in still I90. It isobvious that the oil in still I90 should be initially heated to the incipient. oxidation temperature, after which the above-mentioned oxidizing process could be initiated, the coil 202 being used to control the temperature of the oil in the still during the oxidation thereof.

The air-introducing line I96 is provided with a valve 204, which may be of the checkvalve or gate-valve type, or said valve may be a combination of both. This valve is to be employed for the purpose of closing the line I96 to prevent asphalt from backing up into said line, when the stream'is shut off. In the alternative, a branch line 205, opening into line I96 at a point between said valve 204 and the pumping and agitating structure, may be adapted to introduce 75 continuously a small quantity of a fluid such as steam, under a relatively high pressure. When this arrangement is used, the closing of the air supply will not affect the operation of the unit since any asphalt backing up into line I96 will be prevented from rising in said line by the pressure of. the fluid introduced through branch line 205.

It is obvious that other modifications maybe adapted to prevent this undesirable backing up of the oil into the air-supply line I96. Thus, referring more. specifically to Figure 1, the lower face of mixer may be provided with blades, etc., adapted to create a centrifugal force in section 22, thereby generating a diminished pressure in 43. Also, shaft 29 may be provided with a'pumping unit, such as a screw pump, substantially at the point of introduction of air into the housing 20. Obviously, such pump may be designed so as to prevent any flow of liquid into the air-introducing nozzle 43 and into the pipe conducting such air to said nozzle, even when such air introduction has been stopped.

Although the drawings and the operation of the structures shown therein are described as used for the oxidation of petroleum or asphalticoils,

- it is obvious that said structures may also be employed for commingling and agitating any other liquids with gases.

While the invention has been herein disclosed in what is now considered to be the preferred form, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the-specific details thereof, but covers all changes, modifications and adaptations within the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A pumping and agitating structure for effecting an interaction betweeen an organic liquid and a gas, which. comprises a housing, liquid inlet at one end of said housing, a shaftdisposed within saidhousing and extending therethrough, pumping means on said shaft and substantially near the liquid inlet adapted to draw the liquid into the housing through said liquid inlet, a second pumping means within the housing and on the shaft extending therethrough, said second pumping means possessing a greater pumping capacity than the first mentioned pumping means, thereby effecting a lowering of the pressure in the housing between said'pumping means, means to induct a stream of gas into the housing between the two pumping means, agitating means within the housing and on the shaft therein adapted to commingle thoroughly the liquid and gas conveyed thereto by said second pumping means, and discharge means adapted to discharge the liquid and gas mixture out of said housing.

- 2. In a structure according to claim 1 wherein the two pumping means and the agitating means commingling of the liquid and gas conveyed through the housing by the pumping means.

4. A structure for effecting interaction between an organic liquid and a gas, which comprises a housing, gas and liquid inlets into said housing, a rotatableshaft extending the length of said housing and disposed axially therein, motor means for rotating said shaft, pumping means on said shaft between the liquid and gas inlets adapted to impart a velocity head to the liquid passing through said housing, agitating means on said shaft adapted to commingle thoroughly and intimately the gas with the liquid pumped .into said housing by said pumping means, and means mounted on said shaft and adapted to receive the mixture and 'to convert the velocity and pressure head of said fluid into mechanical work, said mechanical work assisting in the rotation of the hood 'of' said plumb-bobs, and wherein said plumb-bobs are adapted to be moved longitudinally on said shaft, thereby permitting the adjustment of the annular space between the inner walls of the housing and said plumb-bobs.

'7. A process for producing interaction between a liquid and a gas, which comprises maintaining a bulk supply of the liquid, continuously withdrawing' a stream ofsaid liquid from said bulk supply into a restricted zone and imparting to said stream a relatively high velocity head, converting a portion of said velocity head into pressure head, commingling the thus withdrawn liquid with a gas, mechanically agitating the thus produced mixture in said restricted zone and simultaneously reconverting part of the pressure head into velocity head, recovering said velocity head in the form of mechanical work to assist in the withdrawal, commingling and agitation of the mixture in the restricted zone, and returning the agitated mixture back into said bulk supply.

8. A fluid mixing apparatus including a motor, a rotary shaft driven by said motor, a rotary fluid propeller mounted on said shaft and adapted to receive a mixture of fluids and to discharge same at a relatively high velocity head, a stationary casing adapted to receive the fluid discharged by said propeller and to convert said velocity head into pressure head, a Venturi injector adapted to receive said high velocity fluid and to inject other fluid into said stream of fluid, a second stationary casing adapted to receive said fluid and to reconvert a part of the pressure head into velocity head, a turbine runner mounted on said shaft and adapted to receive the fluid from said second casing and to convert a substantial portion of the velocity and pressure head into mechanical Work applied to said shaft to assist in therotation of same, and means for returning a portion of the fluid mixture discharged from said turbine runner to said first rotary propeller for recirculation.

9. A fluid mixing apparatus comprising a stationary-ca'sing having a fluid inlet at one end and an outlet at its opposite end, a shaft extending through said casing, motor means for rotating said shaft, a rotary fluid propeller mounted on said shaft adjacent the inlet end of said casing, and adapted to impart a high velocity head to fluid passing through said casing, means in said casing for converting the velocity head of said fluid into pressure head and for reconverting part of said pressure head into velocity head, and a turbine runner mounted on said shaft and adapted to receive the fluid from said converting means whereby a part of the velocity and pressure head of said fluid is substantially converted into mechanical work by the turbine runner and applied to said shaft to assist in the rotation of same.

10. A fluid mixing apparatus including a motor, stationary casing means, a rotary shaft driven by said motor and extending through said casing, a rotary fluid propeller mounted on said shaft and adapted to receive fluid and to discharge same at a relatively high head, means for introducing a second fluid into the stream of fluid discharged from said rotary propeller, a second rotaryfluid propeller mounted on said shaft and adapted to receive the mixture of fluids and to discharge same at a relatively high velocity head,

means in said casing adapted to convert said high velocity head into pressure and to reconvert a part of said pressure head into velocity head,

a turbine runner mounted on said shaft andadapted to receive the fluid discharged from said conversion means and to transform a substantial portion of the velocity and pressure head of said fluid into mechanical work applied to said shaft to assist in the rotation of same, and a discharge outlet from said casing beyond said turbine runner. I

11. A fluid mixing apparatus including a motor, a rotary shaft driven by said motor, a rotary fluid propeller mounted on said shaft and adapted to.

receive fluid and to discharge same at a relatively high velocity head, a stationary casing adapted to receive the fluid discharged by said propeller and to convert said velocity head into pressure head, means for introducing a second fluid into the stream of fluid discharged from said centrifugal impeller, a second rotary fluid propeller mounted on said shaft and adapted to receive the mixture of fluids and to discharge same at a relatively high velocity head, a second stationary casing adapted to receive the fluid discharged by said second propeller and to convert said velocity head into pressure head and to reconvert a part of said pressure head into velocity head, a turbine runner mounted on said shaft and adapted to receive the fluid discharged from said second fluid propeller and to convert substantially all of the velocity. and pressure head of said mixture of fluids into mechanical work applied to shaft to assist inthe rotation of same, and means for returning a portion of said mixture to said first, rotary propeller for recirculation of the fluid.

12. A fluid mixing apparatus including a motor, a rotary shaft driven by said motor, a rotary fluid propeller mounted on said shaft and adapted to receive a mixture of fluids anddischarge the mixture at a relatively high velocity head, a stationary casing adapted to receive said high velocity fluid and convert said velocity head into pressure and reconvert a part of said pressure head into velocity head, and a turbine runner mounted on said shaft and adapted to receive said fluid and to convert a substantial portion of the velocity and pressure head of said fluid into mechanical Work applied to said shaft to assist in the rotation of same.

13. A fluid mixing apparatus including a tank adapted to receive a mixture of fluids, a motor mounted on said tank, a rotary shaft driven by said motor and extending into said tank, a rotary fluid propeller mounted on said shaft near the lower end thereof and adapted to receive fluid from said tank at substantially zero head and to discharge same at a relatively high velocity head, a stationary casing adapted to receive said fluid and to convert said velocity head into pressure head and to reconvert part of said pressure head into velocity head, and a turbine runner mounted on said shaft and adapted to receive the fluid from said casing and to convert the velocityand pressure head into mechanical work applied to said shaft to assist in the rotation of same and to discharge the mixed fluids at substantially zero head into said tank for recirculation.

14. In a fluid mixing apparatus a motor, a rotary shaft driven by said motor, a rotary fluid propeller mounted on said shaft and adapted to receive a mixture of fluids and to discharge same at a high velocity head, a stationary casing adapted to receive said high velocity fluid and to convert the velocity head of said fluid into pressure head, a second casing adapted to receive said high pressure fluid and reconvert a part of said pressure head into velocity head, a turbine runner mounted on said shaft and adapted to receive said fluid and to transform a part of said velocity and pressure head into mechanical work applied to said shaft to assist in the rotation ofsame, and a discharge outlet from said casing beyond said turbine runner.

15. A structure for effecting interaction between an organic liquid and a gas, which comprises a housing, a liquid inlet at one end thereof, a discharge outlet in said housing, pumping means in said housing adapted to draw a stream of liquid continuously through said liquid inlet into said housing and toimpart to said liquid a velocity ply said energy to the pumping means to assist in conveying the liquid through the housing.

EARLE W. GARD. BLAIR G. ALDRIDGE. 

